Philosophy 317
Office: Barry 215
Office Hours: MW 10-11, 12-1; TR 1-2
facstaff.cbu.edu/pmaloney
Dr. Max Maloney
x3368/606-6792
pmaloney@cbu.edu
Ancient Philosophy:
What is Philosophy, Who is the Philosopher?
Course Description
This course serves as an introduction to some of the most important texts and figures from that
period of the history of philosophy commonly characterized as Ancient Philosophy. When you
are introducing or being introduced to something new, it makes sense to think about how the
introduction should take place. This is a course in the history of philosophy, but it is not a history
course. To approach philosophy historically is much more than merely placing thinkers in their
historical context, learning dates, or tracing out the historical development of specific concepts.
It is to think with these thinkers, to retrieve their thinking in order to understand its possibilities
for us. We are all, westerners, children of the ancients. We share their accomplishments and
limits. As important and substantial as this heritage is, it is wise to limit the scope of our attempt
at this retrieval. This semester our guiding theme will be one which the ancients themselves were
only gradually becoming aware of: the question of the nature and character of philosophy and the
philosopher.
Course Objectives
At minimum, I expect that by the end of the course you will have increased you knowledge and
understanding of the philosophers we will consider, as well as of the roles that they have played
in laying foundation for our contemporary understanding of ourselves and the world. Ideally, you
will have become an active rather than merely passive participant in this foundational thinking,
subject of it rather than to it.
More specifically, this course aims at the following:
1. Students will become knowledgeable of the historical context and significance of different
philosophical concepts and figures.
2. Students will develop an informed personal perspective on course content.
3. Students will understand the broader context of course content through various interactive
means.
4. Students will be encouraged and assisted in the development of skills in the analysis of
concepts, arguments and texts through written and verbal articulation.
Course Requirements
Your grade for this course will be calculated according to the following scale:
90%-100% = A
Highest level of accomplishment
80%-89% = B
Significant accomplishment
70%-79% = C
Average accomplishment
60%-69% = D
Insufficient accomplishment
Below 60% = F
Inadequate accomplishment
Your final percentage will be determined by your performance in the following areas.
30% Critical Writing Exercises
40% Term Paper
20% Secondary Literature Presentation
10% Attendance/Participation
Critical Writing Exercises
Three times throughout the semester I will ask you to respond to a question in the form of
a short, 2-4 page paper. The aim of these papers will be to clearly and concisely explain
the issue or position in question.
Term Paper
As a demonstration of your overall level of achievement with the course materials, you
will produce a 10-12 page presentation and defense of an argumentative thesis related to
course content. The form and direction of your efforts is yours to choose, though all such
choices must be approved by me. Satisfactory completion of the various assignments
leading up to the term paper is required and will make up one quarter of your grade
for this assignment.
Secondary Literature Presentation
Each student will be responsible for reading and presenting a summary and discussion of
an assigned article from the secondary literature on the figures we will discuss. I will pass
around a sign-up sheet specifying the articles in question and the dates on which the
presentations are due.
Please note: These exercises are mandatory and make up a considerable portion of your final
grade. There will be no late assignments accepted.
Attendance and Participation: In both its methods and its content, the study of philosophy
requires the active engagement of the student. Obviously, you cannot be engaged if you
are not in class, prepared to discuss the material. Minimally, it is your responsibility to be
present, having read and reflected upon the material under discussion. Attendance is
required and I expect you to be on time. If you are over five minutes late, you will be
counted tardy. Two instances of tardiness count as an absence. For every absence over
two, 5 points will be deducted from your final average.
Please Note: Academic dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated. Any instance of cheating or
plagiarism that is detected will be handled according to the policies outlined in the student
handbook.
Texts
Philip Wheelwright, The Presocratics (P), Odyssey Press, 0672630915
Plato, Five Dialogues (D), Hackett Publishing, 0915145227
Republic (R), Hackett Publishing, 0872201368
Aristotle, Selections (S), Hackett Publishing, 0915145677
Handouts (available online)
1/12
1/23
1/26
1/28
1/30
2/2
2/4
2/6
2/9
2/11
2/13
Class Policies, Setting the Context
Greek Philosophy
The Milesians
Heraclitus
Parmenides
The Pluralists
The Atomists
The Pythagoreans
The Sophists
Pre and Post Socrates
Writing Exercise Due
Socrates?
Euthyphro
Apology
Plato?
Meno
Phaedo
Plato
Republic 1
Republic 2
Republic 3-5
2/16
2/18
2/20
2/23
2/25
2/27
3/2
3/4
3/6
3/9-13
3/16
3/18
Republic 6-7
Spring Break
Republic 8-10
Term Paper Abstract Due
Handout
P 40-63
P 64-89
P 90-105
P 120-138, 154-64
P 175-199
P 200-226
P 235-260
D 5-22
D 23-44
D 57-88
D 89-155
R 1-59
R 60-156
R 157-212
R 213-292
3/20
Writing Exercise Due
Aristotle
Organon
3/23
3/25
3/27
3/30
4/1
Physics
4/2-6
4/8
4/10
4/13
4/15
4/17
4/20
4/22
4/24
4/27
S 1-10, 37-43, 47-52,
66-82
S 83-89, 95-105, 112126, 137-145
Term Paper Bibliography Due
Easter Break
De Anima
Term Paper Outline Due
S 169-205
Metaphysics
S 221-269
S 272-346
Writing Exercise Due
Nichomachean Ethics
S 347-398
4/29
5/1
5/4
S 398-449
Term Paper Due
Please Note: I reserve the right to alter the terms and conditions spelled out in this document
whenever I deem it necessary.